Cool Adventure Activities in Ottawa; Top Things to do for Thrill Seekers in the Capital
Thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies, and those who love being adventurous will feel right at home in Ottawa. Known for its beautiful waterways and outdoor greenspaces, the city has a wide range of exciting outdoor adventure activities, sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Explore the city from the air on a flightseeing tour, hot air balloon, or zipline, barrel through rapids on the mighty Ottawa River, or feel the wind in your hair as you freefall from North America’s highest bungee jump. Get your adrenaline pumping and explore Canada’s capital with these thrilling adventure activities in Ottawa.
Explore Ottawa From the Air
Helicopter Tours
If you’re not afraid of heights, exploring Ottawa from an aerial point of view is the best way to explore the city, and get a lay of the land. From May to October Heli-Tremblant offers thrilling sight-seeing helicopter tours in their fleet of Robinson R44 helicopters, departing from the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Choose a flight from 10-30min in length and get a bird’s eye view of cool attractions like Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal locks, the Ottawa River, National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, Ottawa Valley and Gatineau Park. Each helicopter tour can accommodate up to 3 guests, and admission to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum is included with your flight. If you need a little relaxation before or after your flight, there are also packages available to combine your helicopter tour with a visit to the beautiful Kōena Spa in Gatineau.
Flightseeing Tours
Biplane Rides
A truly one-of-a-kind experience, discover Ottawa from the sky in an open cockpit biplane with Ottawa Aviation Adventures. Hop into a vintage WACO UPF-7 biplane, complete with vintage aviator cap and goggles (optional if you’re a party pooper), and glide over Ottawa with the wind in your hair as you spot the stunning sights of the National Capital Region from above. Each biplane flight can accommodate up to 2 passengers (the pilot sits behind you), and depart from the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. There are several lengths of flights available from 10 to 35 minutes in length, and you’re free to roam the museum ground after your visit.
Cessna Flights
Ottawa Aviation Adventures also offer family-friendly Cessna flights year-round; great for fall leaf viewing and for cool views of the Rideau Canal Skateway in the winter. Each Cessna flight can accommodate up to 3 people, and range in length from 10-25 minutes. During December Ottawa Aviation Adventures also offer flights with Santa (yes, Santa pilots the aircraft), a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season with the little ones!
Zipline Adventures
Interzip Rogers Zipline
Want to visit 2 provinces in less than a minute? Then zipline in Ottawa on Interzip Rogers, the first interprovincial zipline in the world! Glide 120ft above the water from Ottawa to Gatineau over the Ottawa River at speeds of over 50km/hr, with cool views of Parliament Hill and as zip across two provinces. The Interzip experience begins on the Gatineau side of the river where you park, harness up, and get ready for your ride. You’ll then take the short walk over the bridge into Ottawa, where you’ll receive a safety briefing and then climb the tower to the top for your impending descent. There are two side-by-side cables, so you can descend with a friend, or head down solo. You’ll be comfortably harnesses in a sitting position allowing you to see the stunning panoramic view around you as you glide 1200ft from province to province. Interzip Rogers is open June-September, and operates various schedules throughout the months, so we recommend checking times and booking your ticket online in advance.
Camp Fortune Peak to Peak Ziplines
A brand-new attraction in 2023, the much-anticipated Peak to Peak Ziplines at Camp Fortune has finally arrived! This 3 zipline course spans 4,487 ft high above the Camp Fortune Valley, and is equipped with dual cables, allowing you to zip across with a buddy. After whizzing by stunning views of Gatineau Park and the Gatineau Hills, your experience ends with an optional 50ft freefall jump if you dare! For those who haven’t their fill of excitement after the zipline adventure, head over to Camp Fortune’s Aerial Park and take a crack at their aerial course filled with many shorter ziplines, plus challenging tree top obstacles to test your endurance and balance.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Sundance Balloons
Did you know that the first hot air balloon was invented in and was an 11-metre spherical balloon made of silk and paper, inflated over a straw and wool fire? While modern day balloons are a lot more advanced (and safe), the thrill of floating effortlessly through the sky like a feather still attracts people to this day.
Sundance Balloons offers hot air balloon rides in Ottawa from May to October, giving you the chance to view the national capital region from above. Soar 2900 feet into the sky and spot Ottawa’s most famous sites like the Rideau Canal and Parliament Hill in a serene and relaxing setting. Hot air balloon rides take off in the mornings and late afternoons to take advantage of optimal wind conditions, and operate only in ideal weather conditions to ensure the safety of all passengers.
Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
Every Labour Day weekend the sky fills with colours during the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival. For a truly amazing experience, book a hot air balloon ride during the festival and take to the skies with loads of other balloons in a myriad of unique shapes and sizes. You might even be lucky enough to ride in a specialty shape yourself like a rocket ship, parrot or giant frog! Hot air balloons require very specific wind conditions, between 3-14km/hr, and the wind direction must be optimal; so you don’t land in Gatineau Park or in the middle of downtown Ottawa! Depending on the conditions, you may depart from the festival grounds at Parc la Baie, or from the Gatineau-Ottawa Executive airport.
There are hot air balloon packages available which provide you the option to postpone or cancel your flight and we highly recommend taking that option. Even if your balloon is unable to take off for a flight throughout the weekend, there are still tons of amazing things to enjoy at the Gatineau Hot Air balloon festival. Take in fun concerts, an extensive midway, fireworks, plus tethered flights and the night glow.
Adrenaline Pumping Activities on the Water
White Water Rafting on the Ottawa River
Experience the thrill of white water rafting in the Ottawa region, one of the best destinations for white water adventure in Ontario! With class III-V rapids, there are various intensities and difficulty levels to choose from, allowing thrill seekers to test their limits, and amateurs to enjoy a safe adrenaline pump. The two main tour operators on the Ottawa river are Wilderness Tours and Owl Rafting. Located west of Ottawa on the Ottawa River, both provide amazing whitewater experiences, as well as resort lodging options from glamping to cabins, for multi-day adventures. Wilderness tours also provides white water kayaking and lazy river tubing experiences for those who want more adventure or an alternative to the classic rafting experience.
Jet Skiing on the Ottawa River
Located in the city’s east end at Petrie Island, Jet Ski Ottawa provides jet ski rentals for those looking to explore the Ottawa River on the water. Rent a 60 or 90 HP Sea-Doo and zip up and down the Ottawa River at speeds between 60-77km/hr, while cooling off on a hot summer day. Explore the river system and shoreline on your own, or opt for a guided tour if you’re new to jetskiing, or want the expertise of someone familiar with the river.
Ottawa Adventures for Those Who Love Speed
Bungee Jumping
Thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies looking for the ultimate adventure will want to head straight to Great Canadian Bungee. Located only 20 minutes north of downtown Ottawa, “the Rock” is the highest bungee jump in Canada, plunging you 200ft down into a deep aqua blue spring fed lagoon, with a 160ft rebound. Every jumper given the option to jump with either with an ankle harness system or a body harness attachment, depending on your comfort level, and you’ll be able to decide whether you’d like to a head dip, body dip, or no dip at all.
Rip Ride
If bungee isn’t your cup of tea, but you’re still looking for adventure, then try Great Canadian Bungee’s Rip Ride. This unique attraction sends you soaring down a 1015 ft cable at speeds of up to 85km/hr over Morisson Quarry. Choose to descend in a seated position or channel your inner superman and try the flying position! Rip Ride is family-friendly with a minimum weight of 70lbs, allowing everyone in the family to revel in the experience.
Camp Fortune Mountain Pipe Coaster
The only attraction of its kind in the region, Camp Fortune’s Mountain Pipe Coaster is a must who love speed! Take a scenic chairlift ride up to the top of the Clifford and Marshall ski runs, and then cruise down the 1km long monorail track at up to speeds of 40km/hr through forest, tunnels and exhilarating twists and turns! Speeds are controlled by the rider with a hand break, allowing you to let it rip at top speed, or slow down to enjoy the view. The Mountain Pipe Coaster is family friendly as well, allowing children 8yr+ to ride alone, and younger children to ride as a passenger (weight and height restrictions apply).
